Harbor Commission approves lease renewal for Santa Barbara Shellfish Company

SANTA BARBARA — The value of a quality, mom-and-pop seafood restaurant can never be underestimated, especially in Santa Barbara. The Harbor Commission approved a 10-year lease unanimously with two five-year extension options for Santa Barbara Shellfish Company, a local eatery that has been operating on Stearns Wharf since 1980. The lease, which would be an extension of the 1,160-square-foot property located at 230 Stearns Wharf, was negotiated for $22,339.25 per month. Brian Bosse, waterfront business manager, who gave a presentation on the lease, stated the base rent accounts for 10 percent of the tenant’s gross receipts up to and including $1,250,000. The tenant pays its own utilities separate from the rent and would be subject for an annual rent adjustment to account for cost of living. The restaurant was praised by city staff, who mentioned the long-term tenant has been easy to work with, in good standing as far as rent payments and has grown exponentially considering bar-stool seating is only available for up to 26 guests. Bosse further mentioned Santa Barbara Shellfish Company’s sales have increased 90 percent since 2008, is the harbor area’s third largest grossing tenant and is an active member of the Wharf Merchants Association. Scott Riedman, Santa Barbara’s...